Training device for soccer and physical education

ABSTRACT

A folding and portable training device for soccer and physical education includes a plurality of meshed, interlocked planks arranged to form a closed geometric figure to be utilized as a rebounding surface. The number of planks used determines the type of geometric figure formed. The device may be employed indoors or outdoors. Easily assembled and disassembled, the device is lightweight and waterproof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/197,378, filed Apr. 14, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to recreationalequipment. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to aportable structure which may be used as a soccer training device.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Soccer is probably the most popular sport in the world. In thelast two decades the term “soccer mom” has become a part of the Americanlexicon as the number of secondary school soccer leagues has increaseddramatically. The recent success of the United States Women's soccerteam at the Olympics has further fueled interest in the sport. As thepopularity of the sport has grown, there is an attendant demand and ashortage of space for soccer venues, training equipment and coaches.Thus, there is a dire need for a device which would function to hone theskills of a player in a limited space without a coach being present.

[0006] There are devices in the prior art designed for improving soccerskills. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,865,330 (D'Amico), 5,054,791(Ball), 5,524,900 (Allen), 5,558,338 (Taub) and 5,961,403 (Caruso) showsoccer training apparatus which are limited in use in that only oneperson at a time may participate.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,924 (Ketchum) discloses portable reboundingwall apparatus which is used for soccer training. The instant apparatusis structurally complicated and would require a lengthy set-up time andincreased maintenance.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,228 (Offutt) shows a portable deviceincorporating a soccer goal. This device only enhances the skill ofkicking goals.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,045 (Hammett et al.) discloses a practicedevice for the game of ice hockey. The device incorporates supportstructure for anchoring the device to an ice surface.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. Des. 338,941 (Scott, Jr. et al) shows a designpatent for a combined sandbox and bench.

[0011] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularlyor in combination, is seen to disclose a versatile, portable soccertraining device which will subsequently be described and claimed in theinstant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention, dubbed “SCARB”, is a portable,easily-assembled soccer and physical education training device which maybe used outdoors and indoors. The device can be assembled ordisassembled in only seconds and can be transported in any car, van orSUV.

[0013] The device comprises a plurality of planks which are interlockedto form a geometric figure. The configuration of the figure isdetermined by the number of planks used. For example, only three planksare utilized to form a triangle. Four planks would be needed to form asquare; six would be needed to form a hexagon, etc. The multi-sidedconfigurations allow more persons to practice at the same time.

[0014] A tongue, groove and pin arrangement is utilized as theinterlocking mechanism for the planks. This arrangement permits maximumflexibility in assembling multiple numbers of planks into differentgeometric configurations. The pins are provided with a loop at the topsthereof to enhance removal and insertion. Elastic cords are attached tothe loops so that resistance exercises may be performed.

[0015] When assembled and disposed on the ground of an outdoor play areaor indoors on a gymnasium floor, the instant invention may be utilizedas a surface for rebounding soccer balls. One or more players canpractice on the device without direct oversight from a coach. Using thedevice will aid the novice in attaining basic soccer skills anddeveloping better motor skills such as speed, reaction, coordination,balance and agility. The device will allow more seasoned players toimprove their basic skills and also to hone advanced skills such aspassing accuracy, trapping, turning, dribbling, etc.

[0016] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to providea portable, training device, which training device can be utilized toimprove the skills of soccer players.

[0017] It is another object of the invention to provide a portabletraining device for soccer players, which training device can be used byone or more players at the same time.

[0018] It is a further object of the invention to provide a portabletraining device for soccer players, which device is easy to assemble anddisassemble.

[0019] Still another object of the invention is to provide a portabletraining device for soccer players, which device may be used bothoutdoors and indoors.

[0020] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive,dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

[0021] These and other objects of the present invention will becomereadily apparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a training devicefor soccer and physical education according to the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a partial, exploded view of a training device for soccerand physical education according to the present invention.

[0024]FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of geometrical configurationsof a training device for soccer and physical education according to thepresent invention.

[0025] Similar reference characters denote corresponding featuresconsistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The training device of the present invention, generally indicatedat 10 in FIG. 1, allows one or more players to improve their soccerskills by utilizing device 10 as a rebounding surface. As best seen inFIG. 2, device 10 comprises a plurality of identical planks 12 havingsubstantially planar front and rear faces 12 a, 12 b. Each plank has oneend formed with a groove 14 therein and an opposite end formed as atongue 16. Aligned bores 14 a, 14 b are disposed in each groove end 14.A bore 16 a is disposed in each tongue end 16. Bores 14 a, 14 b and 16 ahave the same internal diameter. Tongue 16 and groove 14 are dimensionedso that the planks will mesh with all respective bores in alignment. Aplurality of reenforcing kiss-offs 18 are disposed in each plank. Forthe intended purpose, it has been determined that each plank should beapproximately fifty-four inches long, twelve inches high and two and onehalf inches thick. The planks are fabricated from rotationally moldedplastic and may be made in a variety of colors.

[0027] Metal pins 20 are provided to interlock the meshed planks 12.Pins 20 have a looped portion 22 at the top to enhance removal andinsertion. Loop 22 also functions to retain an elastic band 24. Elasticband 24 can be utilized as an exercise adjunct for initial stretchingand warm-up for the players before they begin their practice drills.When used outdoors, pins 20 are seventeen inches long so that the lowerend of the pin can be inserted in the ground to provide additionalanchoring support for training device 10. For indoor use it isrecommended that the pins should be no longer than twelve inches.

[0028] As indicated above, multiple planks can be interlocked so thatthe training device may take on a variety of geometric configurations.FIGS. 3 and 4 exemplify two of the many possible configurations. It isto be noted that the larger configurations will allow a player topractice inside the perimeter of the training device. This more confinedarea of practice helps to improve the reaction time of the player.

[0029] Although the instant invention is contemplated for use as atraining device, it should be noted that the interlocking plank designcould function as an edging for sand boxes, an area accent or aplayground divider.

[0030] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limitedto the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A training device for soccer and physical educationcomprising: a plurality of planks; each plank of said plurality having afirst end, a second end, a front planar face and a rear planar face;first means for meshing said plurality of planks in an end to endrelationship, whereby said plurality of planks form a closed geometricconfiguration; second means for interlocking said plurality of planksarranged in end to end relationship; third means affixed to said secondmeans for providing an exercise adjunct to said device.
 2. A trainingdevice as recited in claim 2, wherein each plank is rectangularlyshaped.
 3. A training device as recited in claim 2, wherein said firstmeans for meshing includes a groove formed in each said first end ofeach plank.
 4. A training device as recited in claim 3, wherein saidfirst means for meshing includes aligned bores formed in each said firstend of each plank.
 5. A training device as recited in claim 4, whereinsaid first means for meshing includes a tongue formed on each saidsecond end of each plank.
 6. A training device as recited in claim 5,wherein said first means for meshing includes a bore hole formed in saidtongue.
 7. A training device as recited in claim 6, wherein said secondmeans for interlocking comprises a pin, said pin having an upper end,whereby said pin is adapted to be inserted through the bore holes formedin said first end and the bore hole formed in said tongue.
 8. A trainingdevice as recited in claim 7, including a loop disposed on said upperend of said pin.
 9. A training device as recited in claim 8, whereinsaid third means for providing an exercise adjunct comprises an elasticband.
 10. A training device as recited in claim 9, wherein said elasticband is attached to said loop.
 11. A training device as recited in claim10, wherein said planks are fabricated from molded plastic.
 12. Atraining device as recited in claim 11, wherein said planks arefabricated in a variety of colors.
 13. A training device as recited inclaim 12, wherein said pin is fabricated from metal.
 14. A trainingdevice as recited in claim 13, wherein each rectangularly shaped plankis approximately fifty-four inches long, twelve inches high and two andone half inches thick.